loved

I adored Defying the odds had it on my kindle for a while and so glad I got round to reading it. I loved that our two main characters Clay and Mel connected from the get go it was refreshing to we these two individuals fall for each other without all the drama, just two people hitting it off and healing each other. The love scenes between Clay and Mel were warm and sweet while also felling hot and passionate gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling loved the fact that Clay could also be so unsure and shy it was so darn cute loved the big lummox . this was one book couple I could defiantly picture lasting forever, matching rocking chairs I see in there book future lol . ( )

loved

I adored Defying the odds had it on my kindle for a while and so glad I got round to reading it. I loved that our two main characters Clay and Mel connected from the get go it was refreshing to we these two individuals fall for each other without all the drama, just two people hitting it off and healing each other. The love scenes between Clay and Mel were warm and sweet while also felling hot and passionate gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling loved the fact that Clay could also be so unsure and shy it was so darn cute loved the big lummox . this was one book couple I could defiantly picture lasting forever, matching rocking chairs I see in there book future lol . ( )

This was a pretty good story. Melody, an abuse survivor, had to move away from her abusive ex-husband who does care if they are are divorced or not in the small town of Garnet. She serves a free slice of pie to the town's celebrity, UFC fighter, Clay. Clay's the strong and silent type and I really dig those kind of heroes. The two fell quick and discussed their painful pasts but did not let it get in the way of their love. They fell pretty quickly but sometimes when written right, it just fits. This story did. It has a sweet HEA but not sugary sweet at all which I also liked. Also, the sex scenes were scorching but did not overpower this story at all.

I also like the set up for the next book in the series, the secondary characters show a lot of promise and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Moon's work.

Would I recommend for other contemporary romance readers? Yes.
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Other than figure skating and gymnastics, I'm not really much of a sports fan, so I'm also not a big reader of sports romances. I can probably count on one hand the number of sports-themed romances I've ever read. That's why it's rather odd that Defying the Odds is the second sports-themed romance I've picked up in as many months. In this one, the hero is an MMA fighter. Unlike many romance readers, I wasn't attracted to the story because of his profession, but instead because of the heroine's past history of abuse and the potential need for her to overcome her aversion to a man who makes a living with his fists. I know many women are turned on by the testosterone-laced spectacle of flying fists, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them. Yeah, I know, I'm a little strange that way, but watching two guys beat each other to a pulp for sport just isn't my idea of a good time. For that reason, this part of the story wasn't quite my cup of tea, but I still really liked everything else about it.

Melody is a woman who is running from her past. Her ex-husband severely abused her, and she barely got out of the marriage with her life. Her father is gone, and her mother, unfortunately, sided with her ex, unable to see the man for what he really was. Now Melody is starting over in a small town not unlike the one where she grew up. She's working double shifts as a waitress in the local diner to make ends meet, when Clay comes in for Thanksgiving dinner. She likes him and buys him a piece of pie, which starts the ball rolling for them toward a romantic HEA. I liked Melody, because her personality reminds me a lot of myself. She's on the curvy side and wears glasses, but of course, Clay thinks she's just perfect, even though she worries she's not attractive enough for someone like him. She's a sweet, kind, caring person, but life has handed her lemons and now she's trying to make lemonade. On the one hand, I liked that she was open and trusting of Clay pretty much from the start, but on the other hand, it seemed like after all she'd been through, she would have been more wary of men, especially ones who make a living the way he does. She pulls back a couple of times early on, but before you know it, they're enjoying a passionate clinch that leads to a whole lot more. I think perhaps the story could have been richer and deeper if Melody had had a little more internal conflict leading up to that moment, but at least the author explained that Clay and Melody's ex were worlds apart in personality.

As I mentioned, Clay is an MMA fighter. He's in the midst of training for an upcoming championship bout, when Melody buys him the Thanksgiving pie. He's incredibly touched by her kindness, especially after he learns how little money she has and how hard she's working to pay the bills. Clay had a rough life growing up, ending up in foster care at the age of eleven. He eventually was taken in by Wyatt and Jules's father, and the two of them are now his best friends and the only family he has left. I liked that Clay is kind of a shy guy. He likes fighting, but he hates all the publicity that goes along with it. Wyatt, who is a former fighter himself and a much more outgoing guy, usually goes with Clay to his fights to help deal with the press and the fans. Up to this point, Clay has pretty much only had one-night stands, sometimes with the women who follow the fights, but he doesn't really like it all that much and only does it when he feels a pressing need for the release. He'd like something deeper and more permanent, but doesn't think he'll ever find that until Mel comes along. I like how protective Clay is of Mel, and how he just wants to take care of her, even though she's trying to be independent. I also loved that even though he's a rough, tough alpha-male fighter that he has a softer, gentler side when he's with her. He's a tender lover, and when the intense passion takes hold, he's always concerned with knowing he didn't hurt her.

Defying the Odds is the first book in Kele Moon's Battered Hearts series. Jules and Wyatt play strong secondary roles and become the heroine and hero of the next two books respectively. Jules's book, Star Crossed, is book #2, where she gets paired with Romeo Wellings, Clay's arch-rival for the championship title. Wyatt mentions a girl named Tabitha, who it seems is the one that got away, and she returns to pair up with him in book #3, Crossing the Line. The author has also started a new spin-off series, Untamed Hearts, that follows some younger characters who are introduced later in the Battered Hearts series.

Other than feeling like the characterizations could have gone a little deeper, and the romance could have been built up a bit more before the first love scene, I enjoyed Defying the Odds. The love scenes are hot and steamy but don't skimp on the emotion, which is exactly the way I like them. The romance was sweet and heartfelt, which was also just right for me. Anyone who enjoys a tender romance between an alpha male with a heart of gold and a gentle heroine who brings out the best in him should really like this one.

Note: While nothing particularly kinky occurs within the love scenes, they are extremely hot and employ the use of frank language that is typically reserved for erotic romances. ( )

I loved this story about two people who help each other through their issues and save ones life. A case of the whole being better than its parts. Clay and Melody find love with each other. They also find what each needs to heal. Clay gives Melody love and safety. Melody accepts Clay and everything he is. There is plenty of heat and action as well. The supporting cast was written well, they have personalities and quirks all their own. Yes, this has some seriously steamy scenes, I will never forget that window, but overall I think it’s a love story.

Melody is Garnet trying to rebuild her life and herself. Her ex left her a shell of herself. The ex she married to make sure her mother was taken care of. The problem is he doesn’t want to let his punching bag go. She has to heal her heart and accept that Clay can keep her and himself safe.

Clay is the UFC Champion, but that doesn’t mean he’s without issues of his own. He didn’t have a good childhood, alright it down right sucked. He’s tired of the groupies and feels as if there are only two people who don’t want something from him. When a shy waitress gives him a piece of pie he is literally astounded. Clay has to decide to live his life for himself and accept that he is worthy of love.

Also posted in full on Darker Passions
This is a definite keeper/re-read for me. I just love Clay.
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